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College jazz program strikes high note The jazz program at Moorpark College—the only one offered by a Ventura County community college—is riding a high note. It’s drawn students from all over, including neighboring counties, and many students say it’s because of instructor Robert Aguilar. Aguilar, a music teacher at elementary, middle and high schools for 23 years, began teaching the college program six years ago. He’s toured with his own band and played in others, including the legendary Tower of Power. He showed an early aptitude for breaking new ground when, in ninth grade, he started a marching band that performed in city parades. In his hands, the jazz program at the college has grown from a handful of students to a group of more than 60 who play in two large bands and several smaller combination bands. Band members run the gamut of ages and occupations, from teenagers to middle-age executives, healthcare workers, airline pilots and photography students. In this kind of environment, they all learn from one another, Aguilar said. Students are placed in a band based on their skill level. The A Band is the most proficient; those with three years or less playing experience start off in the studio band and may audition for the A Band when they’re more experienced. The A Band, with about 25 members, is the size of an orchestra. Instruments include saxophones, trumpets, guitars, a percussion section and a piano. Occasionally, they’re joined by a vocalist, a former Moorpark College student returning just to perform with the group. "That speaks volumes," Aguilar said. "We’ve been able to maintain a very strong level of competency in the band." Calabasas resident Michael Blade is one of the tenor saxophone players in the A Band. He’s a loan officer by day and by night a professional musician who’s worked with the likes of Dr. Dre, Tupac Shakur, Sug Knight and Quincy Jones. Blade said studio work, which often involves improvisation or the repetition of only a few notes, gets boring after awhile. "The charts (jazz sheet music) are challenging and the director is good," said Blade, who’s played in the A Band for three years. "Plus it’s fun with all the kids around." Susan Treworgy is a high school band director. She’s conducted the orchestra for the Young Artists Series at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s in instrumental conduction. Treworgy said she joined the class not only for personal edification but also for the opportunity to learn new techniques and styles that she passes on to her students. "I do so much teaching, I don’t get a chance to just sit down and play," she said. Since Aguilar came onboard, the bands have competed in several jazz competitions a year. On April 23 they’ll compete in the Reno Jazz Festival, one of the largest in the country. In the six years the A Band has been performing at the festival, they’ve placed in the top five for community college bands. Last year they took third place. "It raises the bar," said Aguilar of the contest. "When my band comes back . . . they’re a different band." Chris Chinn, a trombone player in the A Band, agreed. He’s been a student of Aguilar’s since Aguilar taught at Simi Valley’s Royal High School. "I come back 10 times better than I was," said Chinn, who plans on becoming a music teacher. Aguilar also started an annual jazz festival and concert at the college. The event is scheduled for May 13 and 14 at the Moorpark College 500-seat performing arts center, which Aguilar described as having one of the best stages for jazz in the county. The two bands have collaborated on a recording that’s available on compact disk. For information on purchasing the CD and for festival and concert tickets, call Aguilar at (805) 630-3331. Bands wishing to perform at the festival, including local groups and junior and high school bands, may also contact Aguilar. |
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